A complaint of cheating has been registered at the Kianjai chief’s camp in Tigania in Meru county, as a woman allegedly cheated individuals by taking Ksh 1500 registration fee in the name of starting a widows self help group.
One of the victims said that on the morning of May 18, she received a phone call informing her that a representative from Bishop Hon Kawira Mwangaza’s office was gathering a list of the names of women who had not received money designated for the elderly and widows.
“My mother has never received her share of the money, so I agreed. On May 18, I paid the lady Ksh 1500 and was told to bring two passport-sized photos and a copy of my mother’s ID today.
“I was shocked to learn from the chief that the lady was a fraudster and I would not have paid the money if Kawira had not been mentioned. I agreed because I knew Kawira was a supporter of widows,” she said.
The suspect confirmed that she was taken to the chief’s camp by the women. She said that when she first met them, they were not in a group. she claimed that she spoke to each of them individually and told them about the widows’ group, but never mentioned Kawira Mwangaza.
“When I asked for money to register, they said they’d involve Kawira so her media would cover it,” she said.
Another victim said she gave the suspect Ksh 4000 and hoped that her grandchild’s education would be taken care of.
“She approached us individually at the market, and she had come today to collect the ids,” she said.
A witness said the lady had introduced herself as madam Stella and said she had registration forms from Kawira Mwangaza that she would use to register widows.
“She stated that Ksh 1500 would be paid, with Ksh 500 going toward registration, Ksh 500 going toward NHIF, and Ksh 500 going toward opening a bank account.
“She refused to have the money sent to her phone. We’re not sure why we agreed, but we paid despite having borrowed the money,” she said.
A woman who owned a saloon and was accused of working with the suspect said that they knew each other when the suspect came to her salon accompanied by another woman
“She never mentioned Kawira’s name or her office to me. We agreed to deduct the money I was to give her for the registration from my service fee.
Christine, the chairlady of mandeleo ya wanawake Kianjai ward said that the The women informed me that they had been duped. When it was claimed that the lady had been sent to find widows, the name Kawira was used incorrectly. Kawira does not send representatives because she has her own representative in the Fridah subcounty.
When I learned that money was being collected, I inquired as to whether they had confirmed it with Fridah. They claimed the lady was dispatched from Kawira Mwangaza’s office.
The suspect has been arrested and is being held at the Ngundune police station. We want her to pay back the money she earned.
